It’s not just for Catholics anymore, if it ever was. I have several non-religious friends, and the topic du jour (particularly in Facebook status messages) is what people are giving up for Lent. Interestingly enough, a lot of decisions involve food. So far, the most popular decisions I’ve seen are giving up potato chips, eating out, chocolate, sugar, alcohol, and meat.
So, how does your life change when you decide to give up a food group for forty days?
If you decide to give up sugar for Lent, does that mean you try to find substitute ways to have sweets? Or does that contradict the sacrifice you are trying to make? Are you making the sacrifice to try to improve your health? In that case, is substituting honey or fruit juices the way to go?
Have you ever given up something for Lent (caffeine, for example) because you are trying to make a more permanent change in your dietary life?
I haven’t yet decided what to give up for Lent (and I’m not Catholic, but the idea of re-focusing for forty days appeals to me). However, I think I would make a food-related decision also. I drink a lot of soda (or pop or Coke, depending on where you live). Whether it’s diet, with artificial sweeteners, or regular with tons of sugar, either way, I’m ingesting something that would do an excellent job cleaning my toilet. So, I think that might be a good thing to forego.
So, now the question is: Will I drink more water? Or will I slowly just become dehydrated?
What are you giving up for Lent?
Clacked by Jen Creer
on Feb 25, 2009 @ 09:00 EST5EDT
Maybe I’ll give up alcohol for 40 days. That might be good for my half marathon training anyways.
When does Lent start and end?
Potato chips, and all other crunchy, salty, high-fat snacks that come in bags. (So no substituting Doritos, for example, which would be, though mightily tempting, mere weaselly cheating.) As I understand it, Lent is supposed to be as much about self-discipline as sacrifice, so I guess I’ll be finding out how much I have! If any. Eep.
Today (Feb 25) is the first day, right?
Ilona’s right– it starts today and ends on Easter. 40 days.
I am giving up alcohol.
No, really.
I’m actually doing MORE rather than giving up. Bucking the trend. (lapsed Catholic that I am…) Drinking more water, eating more vegies, and moving more – physically. Because I have been so NON physical all winter long. So I guess you could say I’m giving up slothdom.